BA Film and Journalism

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

This degree blends the creative world of film with the fast-paced field of journalism, helping you become both a storyteller and a communicator. It’s perfect for students who love cinema, documentaries, and storytelling, and who also want to make an impact in news, media, or digital content production. You’ll learn to craft powerful visual stories and report on real-world issues—developing the skills to inform, engage, and inspire audiences.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year lays the groundwork for your journey as both a filmmaker and journalist. You’ll study modules such as Introduction to Film & Screen Media, Media and Cultural Studies, News Writing & Reporting, and Digital Media Production. Through these, you’ll learn to film, edit, and write professional journalistic pieces while understanding how different media forms—film, web, and news—shape public perception and storytelling.

Year 2
In the second year, you’ll take your skills further through modules like Film Theory & History, Documentary Studies, Investigative Journalism, and Multimedia Storytelling. You’ll begin to think critically about issues such as genre, representation, and media ethics, while working on more advanced projects like feature articles, documentaries, or video reports. It’s a year of exploration, creativity, and refining your professional voice.

Year 3
Your final year is where everything comes together. You’ll take on major independent projects such as Final Film Production, Capstone Journalism Project, and Media Law & Ethics. This is your opportunity to produce a complete film or documentary and publish professional-standard journalism across multiple platforms—building a portfolio that demonstrates your creative and editorial expertise.

Focus Areas

Film production and theory, documentary and visual storytelling, multimedia journalism, news reporting and ethics, and cross-media content creation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

Develop film projects from concept to post-production.
Analyse and interpret how media influences culture and society.
Produce high-quality journalism across digital and traditional platforms.
Combine cinematic storytelling with journalistic accuracy and ethics.

Professional Alignment

The journalism component is designed to meet NCTJ Diploma standards, ensuring your training aligns with professional industry expectations and newsroom practices.

Reputation & Employability

The University of Essex has a strong reputation in the UK for media and journalism education. Its journalism and film degrees are recognised for blending creative production with real-world experience, supported by strong links to industry professionals and newsroom placements—helping graduates step confidently into careers in media, broadcasting, and film.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Here’s how experiential learning really comes alive in the BA Film and Journalism at University of Essex:

You won’t just sit through lectures — you’ll learn by doing, from day one. The program gives you hands-on access to cameras, editing suites, radio and TV studios, and newsroom environments so you can build real work from the start. Throughout the degree you’ll work in teams, pitch ideas, report stories, shoot and edit video, produce radio and TV content, and build a professional portfolio. The university supports this with strong media facilities, partnerships with newsrooms, and opportunities for placements or even a year abroad.

Some of the ways your learning becomes real-world include:

Industry-standard facilities and tools: You’ll use HD cameras, lighting, audio gear, editing suites, plus software like Avid, Final Cut, and other broadcast/editing tools.
On-campus media and newsroom setup: There’s a purpose-built newsroom, radio and TV studios, and spaces where you publish, broadcast, or stream your work.
Project-based and collaborative work: Many modules require group projects — for example, documentary assignments, multimedia journalism packages, on-air radio/TV output, and cross-discipline stories combining film and journalism.
Placement / internship / external experience: You can opt for a placement year (or external work experience) in media organizations to build industry contacts and practical understanding.
Year abroad / study exchange: There’s also the option to spend a term or year abroad (or a placement abroad), giving you exposure to another media landscape.
Capstone and portfolio projects: In your final year you’ll complete a substantial multimedia or film + journalism project that becomes a key piece in your portfolio.
Support by staff with industry experience: Faculty include professionals active in journalism and film, giving guidance from their own practice.
Access to film library, cinema and archive resources: You’ll be able to explore film history and theory via dedicated library collections and viewing facilities.
Exposure to real publishing / broadcasting: Students publish content on a dedicated site, and create stories for print, online, radio and television — your work can appear in “real” media platforms.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduate Outcomes & Career Paths

Graduates from this program often go on to work in creative and media-driven roles where they can combine their storytelling talent with strong technical skills. You’ll be prepared to step into fast-paced, hands-on environments — whether that’s film production, journalism, or digital content creation.

Common career paths include:

Film or TV Producer / Assistant Producer
Multimedia or Broadcast Journalist
Documentary Filmmaker, Camera Operator, or Video Editor
Content Strategist or Digital Media Manager

There’s solid reason to feel confident about your future. At Essex, a high proportion of graduates quickly find employment or continue their studies soon after finishing their degree.

Career Support at Essex
The university’s Careers, Employability & Study Skills service provides tailored, one-on-one support to help you take the next step. From perfecting your CV and interview preparation to connecting you with employers for internships and placements, the service ensures you’re fully career-ready by the time you graduate.

Graduate Success and Industry Links
Recent data shows that 88% of Essex graduates are in employment or further study soon after completing their degree (Graduate Outcomes 2022). For similar film and media-related courses, average earnings 15 months after graduation are around £23,500, typically ranging between £21,000 and £28,000.

Essex also maintains strong industry connections through partnerships with film, television, and media companies — opening doors for work experience, collaborative projects, and professional networking opportunities, especially for students interested in production and film studies.

Reputation and Long-Term Value
Your degree from Essex carries real weight. The university holds a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework and is highly regarded for its research and teaching quality in film and media. Upon graduation, you’ll leave with an impressive portfolio — including films, written journalism, and multimedia work — showcasing both your creative and analytical strengths.

Further Academic Progression
If you decide to continue your studies, Essex offers excellent postgraduate options:

A Master’s in Journalism, Media Studies, or Film Theory/Production to refine your expertise.
An MPhil in Journalism, where you can explore advanced topics such as media, democracy, propaganda, war reporting, and censorship.
Opportunities for PhD-level research in film, media, or cultural studies for those interested in academia or high-level research.

You could also combine your media background with another field like politics, international relations, or business — giving you a competitive edge for specialized roles such as political journalism, media policy, or corporate communications.